Image editing method for modifying an object image with respect to a medium image

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes a position detecting section detecting a position of contact with a display screen of a display section and forms an image on a recording medium based on a display image displayed on the display section. The display image includes an object image indicative of an object for an image formation and a medium image indicative of the recording medium, and the image forming apparatus selectively edits the object image with respect to the medium image based on positions of two points detected by the position detecting section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)on Patent Application No. 2011-170411 filed in Japan on Aug. 3, 2011,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to: an image forming apparatus for formingan image on a sheet-like recording medium based on a display imagedisplayed on a display section; an image editing method; and anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium in which a computerprogram is recorded.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, an electronic apparatus, in which a transparent touchpanel, for example, is superimposed on a display section so that a touchoperation performed on a display image displayed on the display sectionis detected to receive a given instruction, has been put into widespreaduse.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-163031discloses a portable information apparatus that displays a display imagesuch as a map on a display section, and allows a user to touch thedisplay image with his or her two fingers via a transparent touch panelso as to perform a so-called “pinch-in” or “pinch-out” operation forchanging a distance between the two fingers, thus enablingenlargement/reduction of the display image.

SUMMARY

On the other hand, in editing a display image displayed on a displaysection, there is a demand for partial editing in which a part of thedisplay image is edited. However, in order to perform such partialediting, a cumbersome operation for selecting a target part is requiredevery time such partial editing is performed. The above-describedportable information apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2000-163031 does not have any contrivance to solve such aproblem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-describedcircumstances, and its object is to provide an image forming apparatus,an image editing method and a non-transitory computer-readable recordingmedium, which allow an editing target, included in a display imagedisplayed on a display section, to be identified based on the directionof a straight line connecting two points detected by a positiondetecting section for detecting a position of contact with a displayscreen of the display section, and which allow partial editing to beperformed on the target, thus making it possible to receive both of atarget selection instruction and an editing instruction at the time inpartial editing and to reduce user's time and effort.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an image formingapparatus that includes a display section, and a position detectingsection for detecting a position of contact with a display screen of thedisplay section, and that forms an image on a sheet-like recordingmedium based on a display image displayed on the display section,wherein the image forming apparatus includes an editing section forpartially editing the display image based on the direction of a straightline connecting two points detected by the position detecting section.

In the first aspect of the present invention, upon detection of twopoints on the display screen by the position detecting section, theediting section edits a target in the display image, which is identifiedbased on the direction of the straight line connecting the two points.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein the display image includes: an object imageindicative of an object for the image formation; and a medium imageindicative of the recording medium, wherein the image forming apparatusincludes a selection a receiving section for receiving selection of theobject image and/or medium image based on the direction of the straightline, and wherein based on a result of the selection received by theselection receiving section, the editing section edits the object imageand/or medium image.

In the second aspect of the present invention, upon reception ofselection of the object image by the selection receiving section, theediting section edits the object image, and upon reception of selectionof the medium image by the selection receiving section, the editingsection edits the medium image. Further, upon reception of selection ofthe object image and medium image by the selection receiving section,the editing section edits both of the object image and medium image.

A third aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein there are provided a plurality of types of recordingmedia having different sizes, and wherein the image forming apparatusincludes a medium deciding section for deciding, upon reception ofselection of the medium image by the selection receiving section, therecording medium concerning the image formation based on a change indistance between the two points.

In the third aspect of the present invention, upon reception ofselection of the medium image by the selection receiving section, themedium deciding section decides, from among the plurality of types ofrecording media, the recording medium for the image formation based on achange in distance between the two points, and the image formation isperformed by using the decided recording medium.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein there are provided a plurality of types of recordingmedia having different sizes, wherein the image forming apparatusincludes a medium deciding section concerning deciding the recordingmedium for the image formation based on a change in distance between thetwo points, and wherein upon reception of selection of the object imageand medium image by the selection receiving section, the editing sectionedits the size of the object image based on the size of the recordingmedium decided by the medium deciding section.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, upon reception ofselection of the object image and medium image by the selectionreceiving section, the medium deciding section decides, from among theplurality of types of recording media, the recording medium concerningthe image formation based on a change in distance between the twopoints, for example. Furthermore, in this case, the editing sectionedits the size of the object image based on the size of the recordingmedium decided by the medium deciding section. Based on the editedobject image, an image is formed on the recording medium decided by themedium deciding section.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a displaycontrol section for displaying, on the display section, informationconcerning the recording medium decided by the medium deciding section.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a given recordingmedium is decided by the medium deciding section, information concerningthe decided recording medium is displayed on the display section.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein when the direction of the straight line connectingthe two points is changed due to a movement of one or both of the twopoints, the editing section performs, based on the change, editing forchanging the orientation of the display image.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, when one orboth of the two points is/are moved by a user and the direction of thestraight line connecting the two points is thus changed, the editingsection performs, based on the change in the direction of the straightline, editing for changing the orientation of the display image.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein the selection receiving section receives a selectionof the medium image when the direction of the straight line extendsalong one of two directions intersecting at a center of the displayimage, and wherein the selection receiving section receives a selectionof the object image when the direction of the straight line extendsalong the other one of the two directions.

In the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the direction ofthe straight line extends along one of the two directions intersectingat the center of the display image, the selection receiving sectionreceives a selection of the medium image, and the medium image is to beedited by the editing section. On the other hand, when the direction ofthe straight line extends along the other one of the two directions, theselection receiving section receives a selection of the object image,and the object image is to be edited by the editing section.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides the image formingapparatus, wherein the selection receiving section receives a selectionof the object image and medium image when the direction of the straightline extends along neither of the two directions.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the direction of thestraight line extends along neither of the two directions intersectingat the center of the display image, the selection receiving sectionreceives a selection of the object image and medium image, and theobject image and medium image are to be edited by the editing section.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides an image editing methodfor editing a display image by using an image forming apparatus thatincludes a display section, and a position detecting section fordetecting a position of contact with a display screen of the displaysection, and that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium basedon the display image displayed on the display section, wherein the imageediting method includes a step of editing the display image based on thedirection of a straight line connecting two points detected by theposition detecting section.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium in which a computer program forcausing a computer to edit a display image, the computer constituting animage forming apparatus that comprises a display section, and a positiondetecting section for detecting a position of contact with a displayscreen of the display section, and that forms an image on a sheet-likerecording medium based on the display image displayed on the displaysection, is recorded and wherein the computer program causes thecomputer to execute a step of making the position detecting section todetect the position of contact and a step editing the display imagebased on the direction of a straight line connecting two points detectedby the position detecting section.

In the ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention, upon detectionof two points on the display screen by the position detecting section,the display image is edited based on the direction of the straight lineconnecting the two points.

In the tenth aspect of the present invention, the foregoing computerprogram is recorded in the non-transitory computer-readable recordingmedium. The computer reads the computer program from the non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium, and the foregoing image formingapparatus and image editing method are implemented by the computer.

According to the present invention, an editing target in a display imagedisplayed on the display section is identified based on the direction ofa straight line connecting two points detected by the position detectingsection, and the target is partially edited, thus making it possible toreceive both of a target selection instruction and an editinginstruction at the time in partial editing and to reduce user's time andeffort.

The above and further objects and features will more fully be apparentfrom the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating main components of amulti-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating main components of acontroller in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for describing image editing processing performedin the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for describing image editing processing performedin the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing a preview image rotatingprocess performed in the multi-function peripheral according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing object image editingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for describing sheet image editingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for describing sheet image editingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence tablestored in a storage in a multi-function peripheral according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for describing image editing processingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for describing image editing processingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for describing image editing processingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing object image editingperformed in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for describing editing for enlarging asheet image in the multi-function peripheral according to Embodiment 2of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for describing a case where both of asheet image and an object image are edited in the multi-functionperipheral according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for describing a case where both of asheet image and an object image are edited in the multi-functionperipheral according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating main components of amulti-function peripheral according to Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, the present invention will be described indetail using an example in which an image forming apparatus, an imageediting method and a computer program according to embodiments of thepresent invention are applied to a multi-function peripheral 100 havinga so-called “touch panel function”.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating main components of themulti-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention. The multi-function peripheral 100 includes: a controller 1; aCPU 2; a ROM 3; a RAM 4; a storage 5; a display section 6; a displaycontroller 7; a position detecting section 8; an image input section 9;an image output section 10; an image processing section 11; an operationpanel 12; and a tray section 13.

In the ROM 3, various control programs, fixed data of arithmeticparameters, etc. are basically stored in advance. The RAM 4 temporarilystores data, and allows the data to be read irrespective of a storedorder, a stored position, etc. Further, the RAM 4 stores, for example,the program read from the ROM 3, various data generated by execution ofthe program, and a parameter that is appropriately changed at the timeof execution of the program.

The CPU 2 loads the control programs, stored in advance in the ROM 3,into the RAM 4 and executes the control programs, thereby controllingvarious pieces of hardware mentioned above and allowing the entireapparatus to operate as the multi-function peripheral 100 of the presentinvention. Furthermore, the CPU 2 receives an instruction for a givenprocess from a user via the position detecting section 8.

The storage 5 includes a nonvolatile non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium such as a flash memory, an EEPROM, an HDD, an MRAM(magnetoresistive random-access memory), an FeRAM (ferroelectricrandom-access memory) or an OUM, for example.

The display section 6 includes an LCD or EL (Electroluminescence) panel,for example, and an image (display image) to be outputted (printed) viathe image output section 10 on a given recording sheet is displayed onthe display section 6. Further, the display section 6 displaysinformation that should be provided to the user. The informationincludes: a state of the multi-function peripheral 100; a job processingstatus; a document image read by the image input section 9; and aconfirmation of details of an operation performed on the operation panel12. Furthermore, a display screen 61 of the display section 6 is coveredwith the position detecting section 8.

The display controller 7 includes a processor such as a DSP (DigitalSignal Processor), and controls display of an image on the displaysection 6. For example, in response to an instruction from the CPU 2,the display controller 7 generates image data of an image to bedisplayed on the display section 6.

The position detecting section 8 has a touch panel 81, and the touchpanel 81 is provided so as to cover the display screen 61 of the displaysection 6. Accordingly, the position detecting section 8 is capable ofdetecting a given position on the display screen 61 of the displaysection 6 in response to a touch operation performed by the user. Theposition detecting section 8 detects a change in pressure or anelectrostatically-induced electric signal, caused by a touch operationperformed by the user's fingertip(s), so that the position detectingsection 8 detects coordinates on the display screen 61 of the displaysection 6, which correspond to contact position(s) of the user'sfingertip(s), and generates signals that identify the coordinates.Moreover, the position detecting section 8 is not limited to theabove-described structure but may be formed by using a pointing device(e.g., a stylus pen) or the like.

The image input section 9 includes a light source for applying light toa document to be read, and an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge CoupledDevice), and optically reads image data of the document. Further, theimage input section 9 allows the image sensor to form a reflected lightimage obtained from the document placed at a given read position, andoutputs RGB (R: Red, G: Green, and B: Blue) analog data.

On a recording medium such as a recording sheet or an OHP film, theimage output section 10 prints an image that is based on image dataoutputted from the image processing section 11. The image output section10 includes: a photosensitive drum; a charging unit for charging thephotosensitive drum to a given potential; a laser writing device forgenerating an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum byemitting laser light in accordance with image data received fromoutside; a developing unit for performing development by supplying tonerto the electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of thephotosensitive drum; and a transfer unit for transferring a toner image,formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, onto the recordingmedium. The image output section 10 outputs the image on the recordingmedium by electrophotography, for example.

The image processing section 11 generates digital image data based onthe analog data inputted from the image input section 9, for example, orreads image data stored in the storage 5, and processes each image inaccordance with its type; then, the image processing section 11generates image data to be outputted (printed). The image data, which isgenerated by the image processing section 11 and to be outputted, isoutputted to the image output section 10.

Furthermore, the operation panel 12 includes: function keys for allowingswitching among functions such as “fax”, “copying”, “printing” and“mail” functions in the multi-function peripheral 100; a numeric keypad;a start key; a cancel key; an Enter key for confirming a receivedinstruction; and an “output” or “copy” key for forming, on a sheet-likerecording medium, a document image read via the image input section 9.

The tray section 13 has a plurality of trays (not illustrated), and thetrays contain a plurality of types of recording sheets. Morespecifically, a plurality of types of standard sheets, having standardA4, A3, B4 and B5 sizes, for example, are contained in the correspondingtrays. Moreover, each tray is provided with a tray sensor (notillustrated). The tray sensors are publicly known tray sensors fordetecting whether or not the trays contain the sheets.

Using the above-described components, the multi-function peripheral 100according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention receives, from theuser, a touch operation performed on the display section 6, and edits animage displayed on the display section 6.

For example, the user touches the display screen 61 of the displaysection 6 (or the position detecting section 8) with his or herfingertip, and thus the position detecting section 8 receives a touchoperation. In this case, the position detecting section 8 detects aposition of a point at which the display screen 61 is touched, and sendsa signal, which identifies coordinates of the point, to the CPU 2.

The CPU 2 acquires the signal (coordinates) from the position detectingsection 8, and recognizes that a soft key, included in those displayedon the display section 6 and located at a position corresponding to thecoordinates, has been operated.

On the other hand, for example, when the user touches the display screen61 of the display section 6 (or the position detecting section 8) withhis or her thumb and forefinger, the position detecting section 8receives a touch operation for two points. In this case, the positiondetecting section 8 detects the position of a first point touched by thethumb and that of a second point touched by the forefinger, and sends asignal, which identifies coordinates of the two points, to thecontroller 1 and the CPU 2.

Subsequently, when the user performs a so-called “pinch-in” or“pinch-out” operation, a signal, which identifies the coordinates of theresulting two points, is further sent from the position detectingsection 8 to the controller 1 and the CPU 2 in accordance with theoperation. In this case, based on a positional relationship between thetwo points and a position change caused by the operation, i.e., a changein distance between the first and second points, the controller 1 andthe CPU 2 receive an editing instruction for an image displayed on thedisplay section 6.

For example, the controller 1 and the CPU 2 receive, based on the signalfrom the position detecting section 8, selection of an editing targetconcerning the editing instruction for the image in accordance with thedirection of a straight line connecting the two points detected by theposition detecting section 8. Further, based on a change in the distancebetween the first and second points, the controller 1 and the CPU 2receive an editing instruction for enlarging or reducing the image.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating main components of thecontroller 1 in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. The controller 1 includes: aselection receiving section 14; a sheet deciding section 15 (mediumdeciding section); an information display section 16; and an editingsection 17.

Upon reception of a touch operation for two points from the user, theselection receiving section 14 receives, based on the signal emittedfrom the position detecting section 8, selection of an editing targetfor an image (display image), displayed on the display section 6 at thistime, in accordance with the direction of a straight line connecting thetwo points. For example, the selection receiving section 14 receives theselection of the editing target in accordance with the direction of thestraight line extending along either one of two directions intersectingat a center of the image displayed on the display section 6.

For example, the display section 6 displays an image (display image)including: an object image such as a picture, a graphic or a character,which is to be outputted via the image output section 10; and a sheetimage (medium image) in which the object image is written and which isindicative of a recording sheet to be used at the time of output of theobject image.

In this case, when a touch operation is performed on two points by theuser, the selection receiving section 14 receives, based on thedirection of a straight line connecting the two points, selection of theobject image and/or sheet image as an editing target for the image(display image) displayed on the display section 6.

Upon reception of selection of the sheet image as the editing target bythe selection receiving section 14, the sheet deciding section 15decides a recording sheet to be used when the object image is actuallyoutputted via the image output section 10.

More specifically, in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention, a plurality of types of standardsheets, having standard A4, A3, B4 and B5 sizes, for example, arecontained in the corresponding trays as mentioned above, and the sheetdeciding section 15 selects, based on a change in the distance betweenthe two points, the standard sheet contained in one of the trays. In thefollowing description, standard sheets having A4, A3, B4 and B5 sizeswill be referred to as “A4 sheet”, “A3 sheet”, “B4 sheet” and “B5sheet”, respectively.

For example, suppose that the distance between the two points isincreased or reduced and the editing section 17 edits the size of thesheet image as described later. In that case, each time the distance ischanged by 1 cm, the sheet deciding section 15 decides the sheet in thefollowing order (or reverse order): A3 sheet, B4 sheet, A4 sheet and B5sheet. For example, when the distance between the two points isincreased by 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm or more, the sheet decidingsection 15 selects, as the recording sheet, in the following order: B5sheet, A4 sheet, B4 sheet and A3 sheet. On the other hand, when thedistance between the two points is reduced by 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cmor more, the sheet deciding section 15 selects, as the recording sheet,in the following order: A3 sheet, B4 sheet, A4 sheet and B5 sheet.

Via the display controller 7, the information display section 16displays, on the display section 6, information concerning the sheetdecided by the sheet deciding section 15. For example, the informationdisplay section 16 displays a text such as “A3 sheet”, “B4 sheet” or “A4sheet” on the display section 6, or displays a text such as “297 mm×420mm”, “257 mm×364 mm” or “210 mm×297 mm”, indicating the size of therecording sheet, on the display section 6.

Furthermore, also when editing for enlarging/reducing the object imageis performed by the editing section 17, the information display section16 displays, on the display section 6, a scaling factor forenlargement/reduction of the object image.

Based on the direction of the straight line connecting the two pointsand a change in the distance between the two points, the editing section17 partially or totally edits the image displayed on the display section6. More specifically, for the image including the object image and sheetimage as mentioned above, the editing section 17 performs partialediting for editing either one of the object image and sheet image, ortotal editing for editing both of the images concurrently.

For example, for the selected editing target received by the selectionreceiving section 14 based on the direction of the straight lineconnecting the two points, the editing section 17 performs partialediting for enlargement/reduction based on a change in the distancebetween the two points.

For example, the editing section 17 performs editing so that when thedistance between the two points is increased, the object image or sheetimage is increased by 1% each time the distance is increased by 1 mm,and when the distance between the two points is reduced, the objectimage or sheet image is reduced by 1% each time the distance is reducedby 1 mm.

Moreover, when the direction of the straight line connecting the twopoints is rotated and changed due to movement of one or both of the twopoints by the user, the CPU 2 receives this change as a rotationinstruction for rotating the orientation of the image displayed on thedisplay section 6. Further, based on this change, the editing section 17performs editing (total editing) for rotating the orientation of theimage displayed on the display section 6. For example, when thedirection of the straight line is rotated in a clockwise direction, theediting section 17 performs editing for rotating the image in theclockwise direction.

Based on data concerning the image edited by the editing section 17 asdescribed above, the display controller 7 displays the edited objectimage or sheet image on the display section 6.

Note that the selection receiving section 14, the sheet deciding section15, the information display section 16 and the editing section 17 may beimplemented by hardware logic, or may be implemented by software byusing the CPU.

Hereinafter, image editing processing performed in the multi-functionperipheral 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention willbe described. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow charts for describing image editingprocessing performed in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. For convenience of description,the following description will be made using an example in which thepinch-in or pinch-out operation is performed by the user with his or herthumb and forefinger. Furthermore, in the following description, thetrays of the tray section 13 contain A4 sheet, A3 sheet, B4 sheet and B5sheet, an image displayed on the display section 6 has a rectangularshape, and the selection receiving section 14 receives selection of anobject image or a sheet image in response to a pinch-in or pinch-outoperation performed along the direction of a diagonal line of the image.

The CPU 2 determines whether or not a document is placed at the readposition of the image input section 9 (Step S101). The determination ismade based on an image obtained by pre-scanning of the read position,for example.

Upon determination that no document is placed (Step S101: NO), the CPU 2repeatedly makes the determination until a document is placed.

On the other hand, upon determination that a document is placed (StepS101: YES), the CPU 2 detects a size of the placed document (Step S102).For example, the detection may be performed by using a so-called“reflection type size detection sensor” by which a document size isdetected, or pre-scanning may be performed so as to obtain an image fordocument size detection.

Subsequently, the CPU 2 confirms a sheet status (Step S103).Specifically, based on a detection result obtained by the tray sensorprovided for each tray of the tray section 13, the CPU 2 confirmswhether or not A4 sheet, A3 sheet, B4 sheet and B5 sheet are containedin the respective trays.

Based on the document size detected in Step S102 and a result ofconfirmation of the sheet status, the CPU 2 determines whether or notthere is a recording sheet having an appropriate size (Step S104). Upondetermination that there is no recording sheet having an appropriatesize (Step S104: NO), the CPU 2 makes a request for a recording sheethaving an appropriate size (Step S108). For example, the CPU 2 providesan instruction to the display controller 7, thereby displaying, on thedisplay section 6, a text that urges the user to fill the tray(s) withrecording sheets or to supply a sheet having an appropriate size to amanual feed tray. Then, the processing returns to Step S104.

Upon determination that there is a recording sheet having an appropriatesize (Step S104: YES), the CPU 2 selects this recording sheet as anappropriate sheet (Step S105), and stores a result of the selection inthe RAM 4. In the present embodiment, an A4 sheet is selected as theappropriate sheet.

Subsequently, the CPU 2 monitors the operation panel 12, therebydetermining whether or not a copying instruction is received (StepS106).

For example, when the “copy” key of the operation panel 12 is operatedby the user, the CPU 2 determines that a copying instruction is received(Step S106: YES), and provides an instruction for copying to the imageinput section 9 and the image output section 10. Specifically, imagedata of the document placed at the read position of the image inputsection 9 is read by the image input section 9, and the image outputsection 10 performs printing on the recording sheet based on the imagedata of the document (Step S107).

On the other hand, upon determination that no copying instruction isreceived (Step S106: NO), the CPU 2 determines whether or not a scanninginstruction is received (Step S109). Upon determination that no scanninginstruction is received (Step S109: NO), the CPU 2 returns theprocessing to Step S106.

Upon determination that a scanning instruction is received (Step S109:YES), the CPU 2 instructs the image input section 9 to read the documentplaced at the read position of the image input section 9. The imageinput section 9 reads the document in response to the instruction fromthe CPU 2 (Step S110). The image data of the document read by the imageinput section 9 is stored in the RAM 4.

The display controller 7 displays a preview image on the display section6 based on the image data of the document stored in the RAM 4 (StepS111). The preview image is a rectangular image.

The preview image displayed on the display section 6 includes: an objectimage indicative of contents of the document, such as a picture, agraphic and/or a character; and a sheet image indicative of therecording sheet to be used at the time of output of the object image.The user, who wishes to execute printing based on the preview image,operates the start key of the operation panel 12, thereby providing aninstruction for printing.

On the other hand, the user, who wishes to edit the preview image,touches two points as mentioned above, thereby editing the object imageor sheet image.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not the display screen 61 of the display section 6is touched at two points (Step S112).

Upon determination that two points are not touched (Step S112: NO), theCPU 2 determines whether or not an instruction for starting printing isreceived (Step S119). The determination is made by the CPU 2 bymonitoring an operation performed on the start key of the operationpanel 12.

Upon determination that an instruction for starting printing is received(Step S119: YES), the CPU 2 moves the processing to Step S107, thus theprinting is performed by the image output section 10.

On the other hand, upon determination that an instruction for startingprinting is not received (Step S119: NO), the CPU 2 determines whetheror not an instruction for canceling processing of the document isreceived (Step S120). The determination is made by the CPU 2 bymonitoring an operation performed on the cancel key of the operationpanel 12.

Upon determination that an instruction for canceling processing of thedocument is received (Step S120: YES), the CPU 2 ends the processing.

But upon determination that an instruction for canceling processing ofthe document is not received (Step S120: NO), CPU 2 returns theprocessing to Step S112.

On the other hand, upon determination in Step S112 that the displayscreen 61 of the display section 6 is touched at two points (Step S112:YES), the CPU 2 further determines whether or not an instruction forrotating the preview image is received (Step S113).

More specifically, based on a signal from the position detecting section8, the CPU 2 monitors whether or not the direction of a straight lineconnecting the two points is rotated and changed due to movement of oneor both of the two points, and when the direction of the straight lineis changed, the CPU 2 determines that an instruction for rotating thepreview image is received.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing a preview image rotatingprocess performed in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, an object image isidentified by a reference character “f”, and a sheet image is identifiedby a reference character “p”. In the following description, the objectimage f and sheet image p, which are not yet edited by the editingsection 17, are represented by dotted lines, and the object image f andsheet image p, which have been edited by the editing section 17, arerepresented by solid lines.

For example, in a state where the display screen 61 of the displaysection 6 is touched by the user with his or her left thumb andforefinger, the user twists his left hand in a counterclockwisedirection (i.e., in a direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5) tomove both of the two points touched with the thumb and forefinger asillustrated in FIG. 5; then, the direction of a straight line connectingthe two points is rotated and changed. In this case, the CPU 2 receivesthis change as a rotation instruction for rotating the orientation ofthe preview image displayed on the display section 6, and in accordancewith an amount of rotation in the counterclockwise direction, theediting section 17 performs editing for rotating the orientation of thepreview image, displayed on the display section 6, in thecounterclockwise direction.

Upon determination that an instruction for rotating the preview image isreceived (Step S113: YES), the CPU 2 instructs the editing section 17 toperform editing for rotating the preview image. In response to theinstruction from the CPU 2, the editing section 17 performs an editingprocess for rotating the orientation of the preview image as illustratedin FIG. 5 (Step S121). Then, the processing returns to Step S111.

Upon determination that an instruction for rotating the preview image isnot received (Step S113: NO), the CPU 2 determines whether or not thedirection of the straight line connecting the two points extends alongeither one of diagonal lines of the preview image (which willhereinafter be referred to as a “first direction”) based on a signalfrom the position detecting section 8 and the preview image, i.e., thecoordinates of the points (Step S114).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for describing editing of the objectimage f, performed in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, one of the diagonallines of the rectangular preview image displayed on the display section6 (i.e., the first direction) is identified by a reference character“L1”, and the other diagonal line (i.e., a second direction) isidentified by a reference character “L2”. In the present embodiment,when the direction of the straight line connecting the two pointsextends along the first direction, the object image f is edited. On theother hand, when the direction of the straight line extends along thesecond direction, the sheet image p is edited.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that the direction of the straight lineconnecting the two points extends along the first direction (Step S114:YES), the selection receiving section 14 receives selection of theobject image f (Step S115). In this case, in order to allow the user tovisually recognize the above fact, the object image f may be coloredwith a given color, or may be allowed to blink.

Then, the user performs a pinch-in or pinch-out operation to provide aninstruction for reducing or enlarging the object image f.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not an instruction for enlarging the object imagef is received (Step S116). In other words, the CPU 2 is determineswhether or not a pinch-out operation is performed based on a signal fromthe position detecting section 8.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging theobject image f is received (Step S116: YES), i.e., when a pinch-outoperation is performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs anediting process for enlarging the object image fin accordance with achange in the distance between the two points, which is caused by thepinch-out operation (Step S117). Editing for enlargement, performed bythe editing section 17, has already been described above, and therefore,the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging theobject image f is not received (Step S116: NO), i.e., when a pinch-inoperation is performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs anediting process for reducing the object image f in accordance with achange in the distance between the two points, which is caused by thepinch-in operation (Step S127). Editing for reduction, performed by theediting section 17, has already been described above, and therefore, thedetailed description thereof will be omitted.

For example, when the user performs a pinch-in operation by moving hisor her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by the arrows asillustrated in FIG. 6, the size of the sheet image p is not changed, butonly the size of the object image f is reduced.

Note that in this case, the information display section 16 displays, asillustrated in FIG. 6, a change in scaling factor for the size of theobject image f, which is caused by the pinch-in operation.

Then, the user, who has completed an operation for editing the previewimage, removes his or her fingers from the display screen 61 of thedisplay section 6. On the other hand, the user, who continues to performan operation for editing the object image f, rotates his or her fingersand performs a pinch-in or pinch-out operation again.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not the user's fingers are removed from thedisplay screen 61 of the display section 6 (Step S118).

Upon determination that the user's fingers are removed from the displayscreen 61 of the display section 6 (Step S118: YES), the CPU 2 ends theprocessing. But upon determination that the user's fingers are notremoved from the display screen 61 of the display section 6 (Step S118:NO), the CPU 2 returns the processing to Step S113 again.

On the other hand, when the CPU 2 determines in Step S114 that thedirection of the straight line connecting the two points does not extendalong the first direction (Step S114: NO), i.e., when the direction ofthe straight line connecting the two points is the second direction (L2in FIG. 6), the selection receiving section 14 receives selection of thesheet image p (Step S122). In this case, in order to allow the user tovisually recognize the above fact, the sheet image p may be colored witha given color, or may be allowed to blink.

Then, the user performs a pinch-in or pinch-out operation to provide aninstruction for reducing or enlarging the sheet image p.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not an instruction for enlarging the sheet image pis received (Step S123). In other words, the CPU 2 determines whether ornot a pinch-out operation is performed based on a signal from theposition detecting section 8.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging thesheet image p is received (Step S123: YES), i.e., when a pinch-outoperation is performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs anediting process for enlarging the sheet image p in accordance with achange in the distance between the two points, which is caused by thepinch-out operation (Step S124). Editing for enlargement, performed bythe editing section 17, has already been described above, and therefore,the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging thesheet image p is not received (Step S123: NO), i.e., when a pinch-inoperation is performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs anediting process for reducing the sheet image p in accordance with achange in the distance between the two points, which is caused by thepinch-in operation (Step S125). Editing for reduction, performed by theediting section 17, has already been described above, and therefore, thedetailed description thereof will be omitted.

When editing for enlarging the sheet image p is performed in Step S124or when editing for reducing the sheet image p is performed in StepS125, the information display section 16 displays, on the displaysection 6, information concerning a recording sheet that replaces aprevious recording sheet due to the editing (Step S126). Specifically,when the editing section 17 edits the size of the sheet image p, thesheet deciding section 15 decides a recording sheet to be outputted, andinformation concerning the decided recording sheet is displayed by theinformation display section 16.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for describing editing of thesheet image p, performed in the multi-function peripheral 100 accordingto Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

For example, when the user performs a pinch-in operation by moving hisor her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by the arrows asillustrated in FIG. 7, the size of the object image f is not changed,but only the size of the sheet image p is reduced. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 7, the information display section 16 displays, onthe display section 6, information concerning a recording sheet thatreplaces a previous recording sheet due to the pinch-in operation, i.e.,the recording sheet decided by the sheet deciding section 15. FIG. 7illustrates an example in which a text indicating, instead of the A4sheet selected in Step S105, the “B5 sheet” that is a recording sheethaving a smaller size is displayed as the information.

On the other hand, when the user performs a pinch-out operation bymoving his or her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by thearrows as illustrated in FIG. 8, the size of the object image f is notchanged, but only the size of the sheet image p is increased. In thiscase, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the information display section 16displays, on the display section 6, information concerning a recordingsheet that replaces a previous recording sheet due to the pinch-outoperation, i.e., the recording sheet decided by the sheet decidingsection 15. FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which a text indicating,instead of the A4 sheet selected in Step S105, the “B4 sheet” that is arecording sheet having a larger size is displayed as the information.

Then, the object image f edited by the editing section 17 is printed onthe recording sheet decided by the sheet deciding section 15.

When partial editing is performed by the editing section 17 as mentionedabove, the multi-function peripheral 100 according to the presentinvention can receive both of an instruction for selecting a partialediting target and an editing instruction, and thus can reduce theuser's time and effort.

Further, the above description has been made on the example in which animage displayed on the display section 6 has contents such as an objectimage and a sheet image, and partial editing is performed for each ofthe contents; however, the present invention is not limited to thisexample. For example, partial editing may be performed for each type ofcontents such as a photograph and a character, and/or may be performedfor each color.

In other words, different types of contents may be selected and/orcontents having different colors may be selected based on the directionof a straight line connecting two points detected by the positiondetecting section 8.

For example, when editing for enlarging/reducing an object imagedisplayed on the display section 6 is performed, there arises the needto appropriately replace a recording sheet with another recording sheet,on which printing is to be performed, in accordance with a change in thesize of the object image caused by the editing. Therefore, in order toselect a recording sheet, the user might be forced to perform acumbersome operation for calling up another screen so as to select arecording sheet having an appropriate size. However, in themulti-function peripheral 100 according to the present invention,editing of an image and selection of a recording sheet are performed onthe same screen as described above, thus making it possible to avoid acumbersome operation.

Embodiment 2

A multi-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention is formed substantially similarly to the multi-functionperipheral 100 according to Embodiment 1, but configurations andfunctions of the storage 5 and the controller 1 of the multi-functionperipheral 100 according to Embodiment 2 differ from those of thestorage 5 and controller 1 of the multi-function peripheral 100according to Embodiment 1.

The storage 5 includes a nonvolatile non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium such as a flash memory, an EEPROM, an HDD, an MRAM, anFeRAM or an OUM, for example. Further, the storage 5 stores acorrespondence table in which changes of recording sheets to beoutputted and scaling factors for the size of the object image f areassociated with each other.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence tablestored in the storage 5 in the multi-function peripheral 100 accordingto Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The correspondence tableprovides, for example, correspondence relationships when the sizes ofboth of an object image and a recording sheet, which are to outputted,are enlarged/reduced, i.e., when the sizes of both of the object image fand the sheet image p are edited. Specifically, the correspondence tableprovides correspondence relationships as follows. For example, when thesheet image p is enlarged from the size associated with “A4 sheet” tothe size associated with “A3 sheet”, the scaling factor for thecorresponding object image f is “141%”, and when the sheet image p isreduced from the size associated with “A4 sheet” to the size associatedwith “B5 sheet”, the scaling factor for the corresponding object image fis “86%”.

When a touch operation performed on two points is received from theuser, the selection receiving section 14 of the controller 1 receives,based on a signal emitted from the position detecting section 8,selection of the object image f or sheet image p as an editing targetfor an image displayed on the display section 6, in accordance with thedirection of a straight line connecting the two points.

For example, the selection receiving section 14 receives selection ofthe object image f or sheet image p in accordance with the direction ofthe straight line extending along either one of two directionsintersecting at a center of the image displayed on the display section6.

On the other hand, when the direction of the straight line extends alongneither of the two directions, the selection receiving section 14receives selection of the object image f and sheet image p. In otherwords, both of the object image f and sheet image p are selected.

Furthermore, when the selection of the object image f and sheet image pis received by the selection receiving section 14 as mentioned above,the editing section 17 edits the image based on the correspondencetable.

Specifically, upon reception of selection of the object image f andsheet image p by the selection receiving section 14, the editing section17 performs editing as follows. When a pinch-in or pinch-out operationis performed by the user and the scaling factor for the object image f,resulting from the operation, corresponds to 122%; then, the editingsection 17 concurrently performs editing for enlarging the sheet imagep, which is associated with “A4 sheet”, to the sheet image p associatedwith “B4 sheet”. On the other hand, when a pinch-in or pinch-outoperation is performed by the user and the scaling factor for the objectimage f, resulting from the operation, corresponds to 81%; then, theediting section 17 concurrently performs editing for reducing the sheetimage p, which is associated with “B4 sheet”, to the sheet image passociated with “A4 sheet”.

Hereinafter, image editing processing performed in the multi-functionperipheral 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention willbe described. FIGS. 10 to 12 are flow charts for describing imageediting processing performed in the multi-function peripheral 100according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. For convenience ofdescription, the following description will be made using an example inwhich the pinch-in or pinch-out operation is performed by the user withhis or her thumb and forefinger. Furthermore, in the followingdescription, the trays of the tray section 13 contain A4 sheet, A3sheet, B4 sheet and B5 sheet, an image displayed on the display section6 has a rectangular shape, and the selection receiving section 14receives selection of the object image f or sheet image p in response tothe pinch-in or pinch-out operation performed along a vertical orhorizontal direction of the image.

The CPU 2 determines whether or not a document is placed at the readposition of the image input section 9 (Step S201). Upon determinationthat no document is placed (Step S201: NO), the CPU 2 repeatedly makesthe determination until a document is placed.

On the other hand, upon determination that a document is placed (StepS201: YES), the CPU 2 detects a size of the placed document (Step S202).

Subsequently, the CPU 2 confirms a sheet status (Step S203).Specifically, based on a detection result obtained by the tray sensorprovided for each tray of the tray section 13, the CPU 2 confirmswhether or not A4 sheet, A3 sheet, B4 sheet and B5 sheet are containedin the respective trays.

Based on the document size detected in Step S202 and a result ofconfirmation of the sheet status, the CPU 2 determines whether or notthere is a recording sheet having an appropriate size (Step S204). Upondetermination that there is no recording sheet having an appropriatesize (Step S204: NO), the CPU 2 makes a request for a recording sheethaving an appropriate size (Step S208). Then, the processing returns toStep S204.

Upon determination that there is a recording sheet having an appropriatesize (Step S204: YES), the CPU 2 selects this recording sheet as anappropriate sheet (Step S205), and stores a result of the selection inthe RAM 4. In the present embodiment, an A4 sheet is selected as theappropriate sheet.

Subsequently, the CPU 2 monitors the operation panel 12, therebydetermining whether or not a copying instruction is received (StepS206).

For example, when the “copy” key of the operation panel 12 is operatedby the user, the CPU 2 determines that a copying instruction is received(Step S206: YES); then, image data of the document placed at the readposition of the image input section 9 is read by the image input section9, and the image output section 10 performs printing on the recordingsheet based on the image data of the document (Step S207).

On the other hand, upon determination that no copying instruction isreceived (Step S206: NO), the CPU 2 determines whether or not a scanninginstruction is received (Step S209). Upon determination that no scanninginstruction is received (Step S209: NO), the CPU 2 returns theprocessing to Step S206.

Upon determination that a scanning instruction is received (Step S209:YES), the CPU 2 instructs the image input section 9 to read the documentplaced at the read position of the image input section 9, and the imageinput section 9 reads the document (Step S210). The image data of thedocument read by the image input section 9 is stored in the RAM 4.

The display controller 7 displays a preview image on the display section6 based on the image data of the document stored in the RAM 4 (StepS211). The preview image is a rectangular image, and includes the objectimage f and sheet image p similarly to Embodiment 1.

The user, who wishes to execute printing based on the preview image,operates the start key of the operation panel 12, thereby providing aninstruction for printing. On the other hand, the user, who wishes toedit the preview image, touches two points as mentioned above, therebyediting the object image f or sheet image p.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not the display screen 61 of the display section 6is touched at two points (Step S212). Upon determination that two pointsare not touched (Step S212: NO), the CPU 2 determines whether or not aninstruction for starting printing is received (Step S219).

Upon determination that an instruction for starting printing is received(Step S219: YES), the CPU 2 moves the processing to Step S207, thus theprinting is performed by the image output section 10.

On the other hand, upon determination that an instruction for startingprinting is not received (Step S219: NO), the CPU 2 determines whetheror not an instruction for canceling processing of the document isreceived (Step S220).

Upon determination that an instruction for canceling processing of thedocument is received (Step S220: YES), the CPU 2 ends the processing.But upon determination that an instruction for canceling processing ofthe document is not received (Step S220: NO), CPU 2 returns theprocessing to Step S212.

On the other hand, upon determination in Step S212 that the displayscreen 61 of the display section 6 is touched at two points (Step S212:YES), the CPU 2 further determines whether or not an instruction forrotating the preview image is received (Step S213).

Upon determination that an instruction for rotating the preview image isreceived (Step S213: YES), the CPU 2 instructs the editing section 17 toperform editing for rotating the preview image, and the editing section17 performs an editing process for rotating the orientation of thepreview image (Step S221).

Upon determination that an instruction for rotating the preview image isnot received (Step S213: NO), the CPU 2 determines, based on a signalfrom the position detecting section 8 and the preview image (i.e., thecoordinates), whether or not the direction of the straight lineconnecting the two points extends along the direction of a vertical line(hereinafter referred to as a “first direction”), which is included invertical and horizontal lines intersecting at a center of the previewimage (Step S214).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing editing of the objectimage f, performed in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the direction of thevertical line of the rectangular preview image displayed on the displaysection 6 (i.e., the first direction) is identified by a referencecharacter “L1”, and the direction of the horizontal line (i.e., a seconddirection) is identified by a reference character “L2”. In the presentembodiment, when the direction of the straight line connecting the twopoints extends along the first direction, the object image f is edited.On the other hand, when the direction of the straight line extends alongthe second direction, the sheet image p is edited.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that the direction of the straight lineconnecting the two points extends along the first direction (Step S214:YES), the selection receiving section 14 receives selection of theobject image f (Step S215). In this case, in order to allow the user tovisually recognize the above fact, the object image f may be coloredwith a given color, or may be allowed to blink. Then, the user performsa pinch-in or pinch-out operation to provide an instruction for reducingor enlarging the object image f.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not an instruction for enlarging the object imagef is received (Step S216). Upon determination by the CPU 2 that aninstruction for enlarging the object image f is received (Step S216:YES), i.e., when a pinch-out operation is performed by the user, theediting section 17 performs an editing process for enlarging the objectimage f in accordance with a change in the distance between the twopoints, which is caused by the pinch-out operation (Step S217). Editingfor enlargement, performed by the editing section 17, has already beendescribed above, and therefore, the detailed description thereof will beomitted.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging theobject image f is not received (Step S216: NO), i.e., when a pinch-inoperation is performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs anediting process for reducing the object image fin accordance with achange in the distance between the two points, which is caused by thepinch-in operation (Step S228). Editing for reduction, performed by theediting section 17, has already been described above, and therefore, thedetailed description thereof will be omitted.

For example, when the user performs a pinch-in operation by moving hisor her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by the arrows asillustrated in FIG. 13, the size of the sheet image p is not changed,but only the size of the object image f is reduced. In this case, theinformation display section 16 displays, as illustrated in FIG. 13, achange in scaling factor for the size of the object image 1, caused bythe pinch-in operation.

Then, the user, who has completed an operation for editing the previewimage, removes his or her fingers from the display screen 61 of thedisplay section 6. On the other hand, the user, who continues to performan operation for editing the object image f, rotates his or her fingersand performs a pinch-in or pinch-out operation again.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not the user's fingers are removed from thedisplay screen 61 of the display section 6 (Step S218). Upondetermination that the user's fingers are removed from the displayscreen 61 of the display section 6 (Step S218: YES), the CPU 2 ends theprocessing. But upon determination that the user's fingers are notremoved from the display screen 61 of the display section 6 (Step S218:NO), the CPU 2 returns the processing to Step S213 again.

On the other hand, upon determination in Step S214 that the direction ofthe straight line connecting the two points does not extend along thefirst direction (Step S214: NO), the CPU 2 determines whether or not thedirection of the straight line extends along the second direction (L2 inFIG. 13), based on a signal from the position detecting section 8 (StepS222).

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that the direction of the straight lineextends along the second direction (Step S222: YES), the selectionreceiving section 14 receives selection of the sheet image p (StepS223). In this case, in order to allow the user to visually recognizethe above fact, the sheet image p may be colored with a given color, ormay be allowed to blink. Then, the user performs a pinch-in or pinch-outoperation to provide an instruction for reducing or enlarging the sheetimage p.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not an instruction for enlarging the sheet image pis received (Step S224). Upon determination by the CPU 2 that aninstruction for enlarging the sheet image p is received (Step S224:YES), i.e., when a pinch-out operation is performed by the user, theediting section 17 performs an editing process for enlarging the sheetimage p in accordance with a change in the distance between the twopoints, which is caused by the pinch-out operation (Step S225). Editingfor enlargement, performed by the editing section 17, has already beendescribed above, and therefore, the detailed description thereof will beomitted.

Upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging thesheet image p is not received (Step S224: NO), i.e., when a pinch-inoperation is performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs anediting process for reducing the sheet image p in accordance with achange in the distance between the two points, which is caused by thepinch-in operation (Step S226). Editing for reduction, performed by theediting section 17, has already been described above, and therefore, thedetailed description thereof will be omitted.

When editing for enlarging the sheet image p is performed in Step S225or when editing for reducing the sheet image p is performed in StepS226, the information display section 16 displays, on the displaysection 6, information concerning a recording sheet that replaces aprevious recording sheet due to the editing (Step S227).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for describing editing for enlargingthe sheet image p in the multi-function peripheral 100 according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention.

For example, when the user performs a pinch-out operation by moving hisor her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by the arrows asillustrated in FIG. 14, the size of the object image f is not changed,but only the size of the sheet image p is increased. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 14, the information display section 16 displays, onthe display section 6, information concerning a recording sheet thatreplaces a previous recording sheet clue to the pinch-out operation,i.e., the recording sheet decided by the sheet deciding section 15. FIG.14 illustrates an example in which a text indicating, instead of the A4sheet selected in Step S205, the “B4 sheet” that is a recording sheethaving a larger size is displayed as the information.

On the other hand, when it is determined in Step S222 by the CPU 2 thatthe direction of the straight line does not extend along the seconddirection (Step S222: NO), i.e., when the direction of the straight lineconnecting the two points is neither the first direction nor the seconddirection, the selection receiving section 14 receives selection of thesheet image p and object image f (Step S229).

In this case, the direction of the straight line connecting the twopoints, touched by the user's thumb and forefinger, will be determinedas the direction of a diagonal line of the rectangular image displayedon the display section 6, and then the user will perform a pinch-in orpinch-out operation, thereby providing an instruction for reducing orenlarging the sheet image p and object image f.

Based on a signal from the position detecting section 8, the CPU 2determines whether or not an instruction for enlarging the sheet image pand object image f is received (Step S230). Upon determination by theCPU 2 that an instruction for enlarging the sheet image p and objectimage f is received (Step S230: YES), i.e., when a pinch-out operationis performed by the user, the editing section 17 performs an editingprocess for enlarging the sheet image p in accordance with a change inthe distance between the two points, which is caused by the pinch-outoperation (Step S231).

Furthermore, based on the correspondence table stored in the storage 5,the editing section 17 performs an editing process for enlarging theobject image f by a scaling factor corresponding to the foregoingediting for enlarging the sheet image p (Step S232).

Subsequently, the sheet deciding section 15 decides a sheet by theabove-described method, and the information display section 16 displays,on the display section 6, information concerning the sheet decided bythe sheet deciding section 15 (Step S235).

On the other hand, upon determination by the CPU 2 that an instructionfor enlarging the sheet image p and object image f is not received (StepS230: NO), i.e., when a pinch-in operation is performed by the user, theediting section 17 performs an editing process for reducing the sheetimage p in accordance with a change in the distance between the twopoints, which is caused by the pinch-in operation (Step S233).

Furthermore, based on the correspondence table stored in the storage 5,the editing section 17 performs an editing process for reducing theobject image f by a scaling factor corresponding to the foregoingediting for reducing the sheet image p (Step S234).

Subsequently, the sheet deciding section 15 decides a sheet by theabove-described method, and the information display section 16 displays,on the display section 6, information concerning the sheet decided bythe sheet deciding section 15 (Step S235). In this case, the informationdisplay section 16 may concurrently display the is scaling factor forthe editing of the object image f.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams for describing a case whereboth of the sheet image p and object image f are edited in themulti-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention.

For example, when the user performs a pinch-in operation by moving hisor her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by the arrows asillustrated in FIG. 15, both of the sheet image p and the object image fare reduced in size. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 15, theinformation display section 16 displays, on the display section 6,information concerning a recording sheet that replaces a previousrecording sheet due to the pinch-in operation (i.e., the recording sheetdecided by the sheet deciding section 15), and a scaling factor forediting of the object image f. In FIG. 15, a text indicating, instead ofthe A4 sheet selected in Step S205, the “B5 sheet” that is a recordingsheet having a smaller size is displayed as the information.Furthermore, the information display section 16 concurrently displaysthe scaling factor “86%” for the object image f, which is used when thesheet image p is reduced from the size associated with “A4 sheet” to thesize associated with “B5 sheet” (see FIG. 9).

On the other hand, when the user performs a pinch-out operation bymoving his or her thumb and forefinger in a direction indicated by thearrows as illustrated in FIG. 16, both of the sheet image p and theobject image f are increased in size. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 16, the information display section 16 displays, on the displaysection 6, information concerning a recording sheet that replaces aprevious recording sheet due to the pinch-out operation (i.e., therecording sheet decided by the sheet deciding section 15), and a scalingfactor for editing of the object image f. In FIG. 16, a text indicating,instead of the A4 sheet selected in Step S205, the “B4 sheet” that is arecording sheet having a larger size is displayed as the information.Furthermore, the information display section 16 concurrently displaysthe scaling factor “122%” for the object image f, which is used when thesheet image p is increased from the size associated with “A4 sheet” tothe size associated with “B4 sheet” (see FIG. 9).

The above description of Embodiment 2 has been made using an examplewhere editing for enlargement/reduction of the sheet image p isperformed and then editing of the object image f is performed inaccordance with the editing of the sheet image p, but the presentinvention is not limited to this example. Alternatively, editing forenlargement/reduction of the object image f may be first performed andthen editing of the sheet image p may be performed in accordance withthe editing of the object image f.

Note that the configuration of the multi-function peripheral 100according to the present invention is not limited to the abovedescription. The above description has been made using an example inwhich when the selection receiving section 14 receives selection of theobject image f and the object image f is edited based on a pinch-in orpinch-out operation performed by the user, the scaling factor for theobject image f is changed sequentially in accordance with a change inthe distance between two points associated with the user's two fingers,but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example,as illustrated in the correspondence table of FIG. 9, the scaling factorfor the object image f may be changed in the following order (or reverseorder): 141%, 122%, . . . , 81% and 70%.

Components similar to those of the Embodiment 1 are identified by thesame reference characters, and the detailed description thereof will beomitted.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating main components of amulti-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention. The multi-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 3is configured so that a computer program for executing an operation mayalso be provided by using a portable non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium A such as a CD-ROM via an I/F 20. Moreover, themulti-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 3 is configured sothat the computer program may also be downloaded from an unillustratedexternal device via a communication section 30. Hereinafter, the detailsof the configuration will be described.

The multi-function peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 3 includes anexterior (or interior) recording medium reader (not illustrated). Theportable non-transitory computer-readable recording medium A records aprogram or the like for editing an image (display image), displayed onthe display section 6, based on the direction of a straight lineconnecting two points detected by the position detecting section 8, andthe portable non-transitory computer-readable recording medium A isinserted into the recording medium reader, so that the CPU 2, forexample, installs the program on the ROM 3. The program is loaded intothe RAM 4 and is executed. Thus, the multi-function peripheral 100according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention performs itsfunctions.

The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may be a so-calledprogram medium. Specifically, the non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium may be a medium carrying a program code in a fixedmanner, and examples thereof may include: tapes such as a magnetic tapeand a cassette tape; disks including magnetic disks such as a flexibledisk and a hard disk, and optical disks such as a CD-ROM, an MO, an MDand a DVD; cards such as an IC card (including a memory card) and anoptical card; and semiconductor memories such as a mask ROM, an EPROM,an EEPROM and a flash ROM.

Alternatively, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium maybe a medium carrying a program code in a state of flux so that a programcode is downloaded from a network via the communication section 30. Notethat when a program is downloaded from a communication network in thismanner, the program to be downloaded may be stored in a main apparatusin advance or may be installed from another non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium. It should also be noted that thepresent invention can also be realized in a form of a computer datasignal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program code isimplemented by electronic transmission.

Components similar to those of the Embodiment 1 are identified by thesame reference characters, and the detailed description thereof will beomitted.

The above description has been made using an example in which twofingers are used in performing an operation on a single document imageto provide an editing instruction such as an instruction for changing asheet size, an instruction for changing an image size or an instructionfor rotating an image, but the present invention is not limited to thisexample.

For example, when document images of a batch of documents including aplurality of pages are read, a result of editing performed in responseto an editing instruction for a given document image may be reflected onall the document images. Alternatively, the result may be reflected onlyon the document image(s) of selected specific page(s). Moreover, theuser may be allowed to select either one of the above functions.

In this case, the multi-function peripheral according to the presentinvention may be provided with a key for receiving, from the user, aninstruction by which an editing instruction for the document image(s) ofselected specific page(s) is also reflected on the other documentimage(s), thus implementing the above functions.

Furthermore, the multi-function peripheral according to the presentinvention is not limited to the above description, but may be used inconjunction with operation keys for conventional enlargement, reduction,sheet size selection and rotation functions, for example. In addition,an instruction may also be provided in combination with the otherediting function.

As this description may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope is defined by the appended claims rather than by the descriptionpreceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of theclaims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are thereforeintended to be embraced by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing method for processing adisplay image by using an image forming apparatus that comprises adisplay section, and a position detecting section detecting a positionof contact with a display screen of the display section, and that formsan image on a recording medium based on the display image displayed onthe display section, the method comprising the steps of: a step ofdisplaying an image comprising an object image indicative of an objectfor an image formation, and a medium image indicative of the recordingmedium; a step of shifting to an edit mode, when the display screen iscontacted at two points, to modify magnification of the object imagewith respect to the medium image, and without modifying the mediumimage, on the basis of contact positions detected by the positiondetecting section and to display an area occupied by the object imagemodified in the medium image; a step of selecting one recording mediumof a plurality of selectable recording mediums on the basis of thecontact positions detected by the position detecting section; and a stepof finishing the edit mode according to a predetermined operation. 2.The image processing method according to claim 1, where themagnification is modified based on a change in distance between the twopoints detected by the position detecting section.
 3. An imageprocessing method for processing an image by using an image processingapparatus that comprises a display section and a position detectingsection detecting a position of contact with a display screen of thedisplay section, the method comprising the steps of: a step ofdisplaying an image on the display section comprising an object imageindicative of an object for an image formation, and a medium imageindicative of a recording medium on which the object image is recorded;a step of shifting to an edit mode, when the display screen is contactedat two points, to modify magnification of the object image with respectto the medium image, and without modifying the medium image, on thebasis of contact positions detected by the position detecting sectionand to display an area occupied by the object image modified in themedium image; a step of selecting the recording medium on the basis ofthe contact positions detected by the position detecting section; and astep of finishing the edit mode according to a predetermined operation.4. The image processing method according to claim 3, where themagnification is modified based on a change in distance between the twopoints detected by the position detecting section.